Crime
Attacks on INEC offices: Hold politicians, others responsible – IGP
Similarly, the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, warned that the continued attacks on assets belonging to the electoral umpire could frustrate the 2023 general elections.
Baba noted that the Nigeria Police Force, being the lead agency in internal security and elections generally, was always at the receiving end, stating, “Whatever happens, it is the duty of the police to protect here and there.
“The campaigns commenced and what we realised initially was inter and intra-party disputes. We realised that members of political parties were destroying billboards, posters and campaign offices in some parts of the states. We quickly alerted the commissioners of police in charge of the commands and gave them a clear directive that it is the right of every political party to go to all the nooks and crannies of society and campaign. It is a constitutional right, so on no account does a state governor or any state actor should prevent political parties from moving about to do their campaigns.
“We now come to the immediate attacks on INEC facilities. Of recent, the ones that took place in Osun and Ogun, then last week in Ebonyi, Imo and Enugu; it is a well known fact that in the South-East geopolitical zone, we have issues of secessionists – the IPOB and ESN. These groups are bent on stopping elections from taking place in the South-East. They have been attacking our personnel; they have been retrieving arms from members of the security agencies, not only the police but the military and other paramilitary organisations that are there. They have been doing it, especially now that the embargo on campaigns has been lifted.
“The election is approaching very fast and they are putting much pressure to see that this election does not hold in the South-East geopolitical zone.
“In the South-West, we equally have the pro-Yoruba secessionists that are equally bent on seceding and not allowing election to take place in their areas, hence the attack on INEC in Osun and Ogun of recent. Those ones are also sponsored by politicians and other stakeholders.”
According to the police boss, there is also the issue of failed and desperate politicians who are bent on stopping INEC from conducting the elections.
“The failed politicians are those who could not come back through any political party, and as far as they are concerned, let everything spoil, let everything scatter. They are using that opportunity to sponsor illiterate followers of the parties and hoodlums to make sure that this general election does not hold and should not be successful,” Baba added.
The IG recalled that on November 17, 2022, he held a meeting with political party leaders and INEC, where it was agreed that all political parties were free to go about their campaigns in all the states, but they should talk and work on their followers to desist from hooliganism.
The INEC chairman, on his part, said the commission was suffering attacks on its offices and assets across the country, especially in the South-East, as well as destruction by flood during the rainy season.
Yakubu said, “The attacks have far-reaching implications on preparations for the general election. First, the facilities that are destroyed, especially offices, will take time to rebuild. They are not like items of procurement that you can procure off the shelf. So, an alternative arrangement has to be made. So, in some of the states, in addition to these malicious attacks, other matters that have arisen as a result of fire and flooding, we will have to make alternative arrangements by renting in some places we can find facilities to rent. In some of the remote areas, we may not find facilities to rent; so, we have to look for alternatives to the damaged facilities.
“Secondly, several materials lost will have to be replaced. In the recent attacks, some of the PVCs, for instance, were lost. But for the PVCs, we have instructed our state offices to send the Voter Identification Numbers of the PVCs lost so that we can reprint. We can from our database quickly regenerate and reprint the cards so that citizens are not disenfranchised.
“The commission and security agencies must also continue to provide safety around the facilities and this, as I said earlier, may be very challenging because the security agencies are also protecting all of us and other national assets. So, these attacks on our facilities are actually other challenges that our security agencies can do without. Now, we have to rebuild the facilities and our funds are overstretched by a number of factors. We cannot continue to replace and rebuild.”
According to Yakubu, what is even more worrisome for INEC is the attack in the Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, which first took place on May 18, 2012.
“We found the resources in our election project plan budget to rebuild the office and we did so. We rebuilt the office and our staff members moved in on Friday. That weekend, on Sunday, the office was burnt down again and there are five such offices nationwide where in spite of our best efforts, the facilities were attacked not once, but twice,” he added.
The INEC chairman noted that the commission had five offices which were attacked after they were rebuilt.
A tragic incident has occurred in Enugu State after a 16-year-old student, Chibueze Odo, was allegedly stabbed to death by his friend and roommate following a disagreement over a mobile phone.
Chibueze, a Senior Secondary School student of Ugbaike Technical Secondary School, Enugu-Ezike, in Igbo Eze North Local Government Area, was reportedly killed on Saturday evening in Obollo Afor, where he was also serving as a part-time apprentice.
According to reports, the suspect, identified as Arinze, allegedly invited the deceased to a location in Obollo Afor before attacking him. The victim sustained fatal stab wounds to the neck and died at the scene.
The suspect reportedly told police investigators that Chibueze had previously lost his phone, prompting him to lend the deceased a faulty spare phone for repairs and temporary use.
The deceased
He claimed that when he later requested the phone back, Chibueze demanded reimbursement of N14,500, covering repair costs and the purchase of a memory card.
Arinze allegedly told police that an argument ensued when he asked for the phone and Chibueze insisted on receiving the money before returning it.
According to the suspect’s account, he stabbed Chibueze after the disagreement escalated.
Sources close to the victim’s family said Chibueze, who hailed from the Ukwuagbudu area of Ugbaike, had left his workplace after being invited to the meeting where he was attacked.
The sources further disclosed that the suspect is believed to be from the neighbouring Umuogbo Inyi community in Enugu-Ezike.
Family members said the deceased was accompanied by two others, including his elder brother, Nnanna, shortly before the incident occurred.
The body of the victim has been deposited at Dr. Eze Mortuary in Obollo Afor for an autopsy, while police investigations into the incident are ongoing.
The tragic killing has sparked grief and outrage within the community, with residents calling for justice for the deceased student.
The Kebbi State Police Command has confirmed an attack by suspected terrorists on Tsamiya Town and deployed tactical personnel to the area to restore security and maintain law and order.
In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, the attackers reportedly invaded the community in the late hours of Saturday, firing sporadically and causing panic among residents.
According to the statement, the assailants set ablaze a makeshift checkpoint belonging to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). They also attacked a local brothel and the residence of one Sule Mai Goge.
During the incident, a resident identified as Alhaji Yusuf Bazamfare was reportedly kidnapped by the attackers.
The police spokesperson disclosed that upon receiving reports of the attack, the Commissioner of Police immediately ordered the deployment of additional security personnel to the affected area to safeguard lives and property.
He added that a comprehensive investigation into the incident has commenced, while efforts are ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victim and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
The Command assured residents of Tsamiya and surrounding communities that security operations would continue until normalcy is fully restored and the perpetrators are brought to justice.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested the suspected parents of twin infants whose lifeless bodies were discovered in a drainage channel in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.
The tragic discovery was made on Sunday following information provided by concerned residents who alerted the police about the abandoned bodies.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, described the development as a disturbing act of inhumanity and a gross violation of the sanctity of human life.
He commended officers attached to the Okpoko Divisional Police Headquarters for their swift response and diligent investigation, which led to the arrest of the biological parents of the deceased infants shortly after the report was received.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, operatives received information in the early hours of Sunday, June 21, 2026, about the discovery of two lifeless infant twins abandoned in a drainage channel along Cooperative Street, Nwokedi, Okpoko.
“Following the report, operatives immediately swung into action, secured the scene, gathered vital evidence, and commenced investigations,” Ikenga stated.
He added that preliminary investigations led to the identification and arrest of the infants’ biological parents, who are currently in police custody and assisting investigators in determining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Condemning the act, CP Orutugu stressed that every child deserves protection, care, and the opportunity to live, reiterating the command’s commitment to ensuring that anyone found culpable faces the full weight of the law.
“The Command remains committed to a thorough investigation of the matter, and further developments will be communicated in due course,” the police spokesperson said.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
The Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka on Friday granted bail to a Nnewi-based native doctor, Ikechukwu Ezenagu, popularly known as “Mmuo Mmili Afuluanya,” in the sum of N50 million.
Recall that Ezenagu reported slumped during one of the Court sessions which stalled hearing for a period.
The Homeland Security Special Court, presided over by Justice Jude Obiora, granted the defendant bail with one surety in like sum and ordered him to deposit the title documents of his residence with the court as part of the bail conditions.
The court further ruled that the property would be forfeited to the Anambra State Government should the defendant abscond from trial.
Justice Obiora also directed Ezenagu not to grant media interviews or make comments to the press while the matter remains before the court.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Anambra State, Mr Tobechukwu Nweke (SAN), who is leading the prosecution, stated that the defendant is facing charges relating to the alleged violation of provisions of the Anambra Homeland Security Law 2025.
According to the prosecution, the charges stem from allegations that Ezenagu engaged in activities contrary to the provisions of the law, which was enacted to strengthen security and curb criminal activities in the state.
The matter was subsequently adjourned until July 3, 2026, for the continuation of trial.
Ezenagu was arrested by the Anambra State Government on March 12 during a crackdown on traditionalists and native doctors suspected of preparing charms and other spiritual protections for criminals operating within the state.
His arrest formed part of the government’s broader efforts to combat insecurity and dismantle networks allegedly linked to criminal activities across Anambra.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
A 25-year-old woman is suspected to have died by suicide after reportedly undergoing three consecutive abortions in Anambra State.
The deceased, whose identity has not been officially disclosed, was said to have left behind a note in which she mentioned a man identified only as Chigozie, believed to be her boyfriend and the person who allegedly impregnated her on multiple occasions.
The incident, which occurred in Onitsha, has prompted an investigation by the Anambra State Police Command.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ikioye Orutugu, expressed concern over what he described as the growing moral and social challenges confronting society. In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the commissioner called on parents and guardians to play more active roles in the upbringing and emotional well-being of their children and wards.
“The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, fwc, mnips, PhD, has expressed deep concern over the increasing level of moral decadence and other disturbing incidents being recorded in society, describing the trend as worrisome and a collective challenge requiring urgent attention from families, communities, religious institutions and relevant stakeholders,” the statement said.
According to the police, the woman was found dead on June 18, 2026, in circumstances suggesting a suspected suicide.
“A note suspected to be a suicide message was also recovered at the scene with a disturbing narrative of a relationship breakup after having three abortions for an unidentified man named Chigozie,” the statement added.
While emphasizing that investigations are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the death, the police commissioner said the incident highlights the need for stronger parental guidance, moral upbringing, and emotional support systems for young people.
Orutugu urged parents and guardians to pay closer attention to the emotional well-being, social interactions, and behavioural changes of their children, noting that many societal challenges could be mitigated through effective parenting, open communication, and the promotion of sound moral values.
He also called on community leaders, educational institutions, faith-based organisations, and civil society groups to intensify mentorship and advocacy programmes aimed at promoting positive values, resilience, and responsible living among youths.
The commissioner further directed the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, for a thorough and discreet investigation.
The Anambra State Police Command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property while collaborating with relevant stakeholders to address emerging social issues affecting public safety and societal well-being.
-
News5 days agoLagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Wins Global Recognition
-
News4 days agoOpposition Parties Drag Enugu Government, ENSSAA to Court Over N150m Campaign Permit Fee
-
Education4 days agoCoal City University Slams Sahara Reporters Report as False, Malicious, Demands Retraction
-
Crime4 days agoFarmer Beheads two Elders to avenge Parents’ deaths
-
News1 day agoPost-Election Cleanup: Enugu Cracks Down on Unauthorized Outdoor Advertising
-
Crime5 days agoGovernor To Introduce Public Execution for Convicted Kidnappers, Sets Up Special Court
-
Crime3 days agoCourt Grants Anambra Native Doctor N50 Million Bail, One Surety
-
Crime4 days ago
26-year-old girl commits suicide after multiple abortions